Chapter 18 Summary

Jake makes numerous attempts to find Lester's phone number in Chicago, finally asking the owner of Tank's Tonk, Lester's favorite club in the area, to get the number from Lester's local girlfriend, Iris. Tank reveals that Lester and Iris have a longstanding relationship and have two children together. Jake's practice is now returning to normal, but he finds it hard to concentrate and carefully avoids the courthouse and the Coffee Shop. He obsesses over Carl Lee, wondering why he was betrayed. He recalls Marsharfsky's hateful grandstanding and lying on behalf of pimps and drug dealers. By Wednesday afternoon, The Shark has not yet been seen in Clanton. At 3:30, Jake goes to Judge Noose's chambers to give an explanation for his withdrawal. The judge is most understanding, and Jake shares with Noose the facts that Marsharfsky is not licensed in Mississippi and that he...